How GTCT funding has supported rising star Aelwen Davies
Aelwen Davies is rising through the ranks at speed. The mid Wales-based 17-year-old has already amassed a glut of titles throughout her youth racing career and is only looking up and forward.
An energetic child who used sport as an outlet, Aelwen started cycling as a toddler before racing for the first time at eight and subsequently joining different development initiatives and pathways in the years after. This year, she’s cycled with Beicio Cymru’s Junior Pathway and has been a guest on GB’s Junior Olympic Development Squad.
Interestingly and impressively, Aelwen has remained a muti-discipline cyclist throughout her Youth Category, collecting 16 Welsh and five British Championship titles –as well as countless podium finishes – across road, track, mountain biking, and cyclo-cross.
Evidently, success has been a large part and driving factor of her fledgling career, as she has consistently demonstrated her incredible potential in the sport.
“Beicio Cymru and their excellent coaches have fully supported Aelwen in her development across the different disciplines,” commented her father, Stuart.
“Aelwen has been determined to gain as much experience, home and abroad, in the different disciplines before making her own decision on which pathway she wants to follow.”
Such experience has come at significant cost to the family, however. From travel to upgrading equipment, the financial burden has been heavy; Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust support has alleviated some of this pressure, though, with a grant going towards vital equipment and bike upgrades to enable her continued development and competitiveness.
“We’re an ordinary hard-working family with no benefactors trying our uttermost for our children,” Stuart told us.
“Money is the single biggest barrier to cycling at the level Aelwen is aiming for. The demands on us to enable Aelwen to be competitive are relentless.
“It’s too early to say if Aelwen will manage to follow her dreams however, enabling this starts with good equipment, so we are extremely grateful to all concerned at the Trust.”
The GTCT is thrilled to be able to support individuals such as Aelwen, in this case removing financial barriers to enable her to thrive on the bike.
Currently, Aelwen studies at South Gloucestershire College, completing a two-year BTEC in Sports Coaching & Cycling Performance (with DiCE Cycling Academy).
Importantly, the course gives her the flexibility to study, train, race, and rest for these important and formative junior years whilst she continues to learn in what she is hoping will become her trade.
And as she has progressed, Aelwen is looking to develop in the road and track disciplines, aiming for the biggest stages representing her country.
She has a solid foundation upon which to build; with the aid of her Beicio Cymru coach, Rob Partridge, she’s enjoyed a positive Junior National Track Championships in recent months, setting new personal best times in the Individual Pursuit.
“I would love to compete at the Commonwealth Games for Wales on the track, as well as race at the European and World Championships, and of course the Olympics”, said Aelwen.
She continued “On the road, the dream is to forge a career with a professional team and earn a contract, as well as representing Wales and GB at Championships and Games. I’m so grateful to the Trust for their support”
The Trust exists to open up cycling opportunities to as many young people as possible, regardless of their level or experience on the bike, and regardless of whatever barriers might be preventing them from participating.
